So Much Clutter, So Little Room: Examining the Roots of Hoarding

The New York Times ^ | Sunday, January 4, 2004 | NINA BERNSTEIN

[jrp]

My mottos:
KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)
When in doubt, throw it out (applies to girlfriends as well)

My gun collection is the only exception so far.
If I ever find a nice conservative gal, she'll be exception #2, lol.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Worse yet, home owners associations will probably write into their covenants that no more than X amount of house space can contain clutter.

As if those communes don't have enough ways to bug the homeowners...

Join the Revolution! Start a Homeowners Association!

[pollywog]

.........the rest is prime estate sale stuff.

Oh boy pizza pie!!!! Can you post the Date and ADDRESS PLEASE!! LOL!!

[radiohead]

BTW, the families on the show admit to doctoring up their mess for the camera.

Oh yeah? Then what's the point? Why would you bring in stuff from other rooms to make a mess? Why would you want people to think you can't even keep your bedroom straight? Weird.

[SeaDragon]

Oh boy pizza pie!!!! Can you post the Date and ADDRESS PLEASE!! LOL!!

I will definitely keep you posted........

LOLOL

[flowergirl]

I am quite worried about my sister. I never knew that this was a problem w/ a named disorder. She has stacks of newspapers from as far back as 1994. She can't throw anything away, her daughter took out 5 bags of newspapers and trash when my sister was gone once,when she came home, ny niece got in trouble and was shook and yelled at till she told ny sister where the dumpster was... she then went and got all 5 bags out. her house is a fire hazard, My nephew, age 7 has'nt ever been able to sleep in his room. There is trash piled every where, and dirty dishes a foot high all the time.My brother in law just doesn't want to deal with the problem or else he doesn't know how to. They rent. Any ideas on how to help? She gets angry and in denial that there is any thing wrong.Thanks

[Wombat101]

Help! I can't seem to throw out all my old National Review magazines with Florence King essays on the back page! I need a subsidy, a government program, a dispensation under the American's with Disabilities Act! Where's my money? Where's Mike Wallace to do an in-depth expose on this pernicious disease that strikes millions and makes up virtual prisoners in our own homes? Quick, call Oprah, I need to speak out on this problem so that we can focus attention on it!

Forgive me, I couldn't resist....

[FITZ]

Yes --- I think some people never got with the "throw it away even if it's still good" approach. I know houses used to have basements and attics --- baby furniture and clothes were handed down for generations --- in the past generations, probably few people ever threw anything away unless it was completely useless --- landfills were probably unheard of.

Even us who can get rid of things kind of have to force ourselves --- maybe it's kind of natural to save.

[NYTexan]

Well it sounds like you and the other half (I'll assume you're the better half for arguments sake) are on your way to quite an adventure. I can't imagine pulling out of port and setting sail for what ever takes me there! I wish you both luck and hope you go to the local libraries and post your adventure.

I think I see a FReeper adventure / Survivor thread in the future.

Let us know when you're having the garage sale!

[FITZ]

Your sister might have something worse than just a hoarding problem --- I know some hoarders who seem pretty happy --- they admit they have too much, I know a few who won't change but it does affect them in a negative way. Maybe she has some kind of depression --- and it sounds like she's bordering on abuse of her kids.

[pollywog]

Yep.....I am a flybaby!!! Mostly on no mail though!! HA HA HA!!!

[Catspaw]

I wish you both luck and hope you go to the local libraries and post your adventure.

That's part of the plan :-))

We're really looking forward to leaving. It's a big life change, but we're ready for it.

[CajunConservative]

Help! I can't seem to throw out all my old National Review magazines with Florence King essays on the back page! I need a subsidy, a government program, a dispensation under the American's with Disabilities Act! Where's my money? Where's Mike Wallace to do an in-depth expose on this pernicious disease that strikes millions and makes up virtual prisoners in our own homes? Quick, call Oprah, I need to speak out on this problem so that we can focus attention on it!

Forgive me, I couldn't resist....

I guess you've never had to wade knee deep in cr@p (sometimes literally) in someone's house with this disorder then? Trust me, it's no laughing matter. Most *don't* want any attention at all. They want to be left alone for the most part, however, if they have children they are putting them in real physical danger.

When someone literally can not throw away rotting food or insist on retrieving what was thrown away something isn't working in their brains.

[Wombat101]

Nope, can't say as I have lived with somone that has this problem. I too am a pack rat when it comes to certain things. However, if someone is hoarding rotting food and fecal matter (which you seem to imply) then there is something else wrong with them besides the inability to throw something, anything, away.

In this day in age we seem able to find the teensiest little personality quirk and turn it into a full-blown medical problem that needs to be covered by Medicare or something. Keeping stuff is not a problem, it's keeping weird/useless stuff that is, without any idea or intention of finding a use for it, and it's symptomatic of another disorder and does not require it's own name and syndrome.

I apologize if you were offended by moy post, and suggest that you invest in a good pair of hip-waders while you get whoever is keeping all that junk medicated.

[CajunConservative]

I wasn't offended, but I have had to assist hoarders (which is a symptom of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)of various degrees. This isn't something new either. Most don't get to the extreme, but there are quite a few who literally can't let go of their stuff when it starts to overtake everything including the physical and financial safety of their family. There's nothing wrong with being a pack rat as long as your and others safety isn't compromised.

[stainlessbanner]

Now if I could only limit my FR time to 15 minute allotments!

[tiamat]

There needs to be a 12 Step program for Freeping! LOL!

Tia

[Hawkeye's Girl]

Well, if nothing else, this thread has certainly motivated me to clean up more. I'm naturally messy, but I don't want to end up like the people in the article.

[sauropod]

's ok.

[Tax Government]

Well... I don't know the best answer. Omenous problems looming in the background include: 1) the property owner will demand a clean-up or evict them (that might be what would get her/them in gear); 2) someone in government will intervene for the child's welfare. Moving a long distance would help with the clutter, of course.

What she needs is counseling and psychological treatment. Not being a doctor, I can't really say she would benefit from medication but that's my guess. I've lived around/near one or two people like you describe. It's a real illness, imho, with immoblizing depression at its root. The stigma attached to mental disorders, including depression, has prevented many people from seeking treatment.

Try this: Many hospitals have a clergy person on staff, to help people in times of crisis. Find one or two such people, and ask for mental-health alternatives. Those clergy tend to be well connected, and refer a lot of people.